System for converting a water bottle into an ergonomically correct free weight and process for doing the same

ABSTRACT

A conversion system can be used for converting a water bottle into an ergonomically correct free weight. The conversion system includes an upper loop that is configured to encircle the water bottle. A handle portion is joined to the upper loop and configured to accommodate a palm of hand and human fingers against the water bottle and a thumb outside of the handle portion. A lower loop is configured to encircle the water bottle. Accommodating the thumb outside of the handle portion prevents stress on an abductor pollicis brevis muscle, an abductor pollicis longus muscle, an abductor pollicis muscle and a dorsal interosseous muscle that is proximate the thumb while permitting movement of the water bottle by the over-hand grip.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/895,558 filed on Oct. 25, 2013, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to exercise equipment.

Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, when water bottles were used as weights they could slip out of a user's hands, since the diameter of a water bottle is larger than a standard dumbbell hand grip. Additionally, many users have compromised grip strength due to arthritis and other hand and wrist injuries. Embodiments of the disclosed invention solve this problem. As used in this application a “human hand” is defined to comprise four fingers and a thumb, though other anatomical arrangements may work with the embodiments discussed below as well.

SUMMARY

A conversion system can be used for converting a water bottle into an ergonomically correct free weight. The conversion system includes an upper loop that is configured to encircle the water bottle. A handle portion is joined to the upper loop and configured to accommodate a palm of a human hand and associated fingers against the water bottle. A lower loop is configured to encircle the water bottle. Accommodating the thumb outside of the handle portion prevents stress on an abductor pollicis brevis muscle, an abductor pollicis longus muscle, an abductor pollicis muscle and a dorsal interosseous muscle that is proximate the thumb while permitting movement of the water bottle by the arm muscles.

In some embodiments, the lower loop and the upper loop can be at least ten millimeters thick in order to secure the lower loop to the water bottle while preventing plastic deformation of the lower loop while the water bottle is moving. The handle portion can be at least twenty millimeters wide in order to prevent plastic deformation of the handle portion when the handle portion is being moved as part of the ergonomically correct free weight.

A process for converting a water bottle to an ergonomically correct free weight includes the following steps, which are not necessarily in order. First, providing the water bottle having known dimensions. Next, joining a conversion system to the water bottle. The conversion system can further comprise an upper loop configured to encircle the water bottle. A handle portion can be attached to the upper loop. A lower loop can be attached to the handle portion. The lower loop can be configured to encircle the water bottle.

In some embodiments the process can further include inserting a human hand between the handle portion and the water bottle wherein a thumb on the human hand rests upon the handle portion while fingers on the human hand rest below the handle portion. In some embodiments the process can further include maneuvering the water bottle with the human arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of conversion system 10 comprises lower loop 14 mechanically coupled to handle portion 12. Handle portion 12 is further mechanically coupled to upper loop 14.

In some embodiments, lower loop 14 has an inner diameter of 64 millimeters and an outer diameter of 88 millimeters in order to accommodate a 24 ounce to 1.5 liter water bottle. However, other size water bottles could have other dimensions. Experimentation has shown that making lower loop 14 twelve millimeters thick is ideal for securing lower loop 14 to bottle 16 while preventing plastic deformation. However, a range of at least ten millimeters can still be effective. In embodiments, where bottle 16 has uniform thickness where lower loop 14 and upper loop 14 are joined to bottle 16, then lower loop 14 and upper loop 14 would be uniformly size.

In some embodiments, handle portion 12 is 123 millimeters between points on upper loop 14 and lower loop 14 which are most proximate one another while being 275 millimeters from upper loop 14 to lower loop 14 at points most distant one another. Handle portion 12 can be 25.4 millimeters wide in order to accommodate a human user's hand grip, that is, an over-hand grip in palm of hand, on an inside surface and thumb on an outside surface of handle portion 12. In some embodiments, handle portion 12 can be at least twenty millimeters wide in order to prevent plastic deformation of handle portion 12 when handle portion 12 is being moved as part of an ergonomically correct free weight.

Turning to FIG. 2, as used in this application, ergonomic means “intended to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury.” The stress or injury or present concern has to do with a few muscles in the thumb: the abductor pollicis brevis muscle, the abductor pollicis longus muscle, the abductor pollicis muscle and the dorsal interosseous muscle that is proximate the thumb. Grabbing a water bottle with the human hand causes strain on some or all of these muscles. However, when conversion system 10 is used, there is no need to grab with the thumb. Further, the thumb can rest to the side of the other four fingers, causing no strain on the abductor pollicis brevis muscle, the abductor pollicis longus muscle, the abductor pollicis muscle and the dorsal interosseous muscle that is proximate the thumb.

Once conversion system 10 is placed on bottle 16, bottle 16 functions as a free weight that does not require gripping of the thumb. In fact, all muscle groups in the hand can relax and the weight of bottle 16 can rest upon a human user's arm. For users with arthritis in a hand, this can be an effective way to exercise without causing joints to become painful. This combination of features is collectively defined as “an ergonomically correct free weight”.

A process enables use of a water bottle as an ergonomically correct free weight. The process involves, first, providing water bottle 16 having known dimensions. Then, joining conversion system 10 to water bottle 16 wherein conversion system 10 further comprises: upper loop 14 having sufficient diameter to surround the water bottle. Handle portion 12 is attached to upper loop 14. Lower loop 14 attached to handle portion 12 and having sufficient diameter to surround water bottle 16. After that, inserting a human hand between handle portion 12 and water bottle 16. A thumb on the human hand rests upon handle portion 12 while fingers on the human hand rest below handle portion 12. Finally, maneuvering water bottle 16 with the human hand. As used in this application a “water bottle” means any vessel that can contain drinking water.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A conversion system for converting a water bottle into an ergonomically correct free weight; the conversion system comprising: an upper loop, configured to encircle the water bottle; a handle portion, joined to the upper loop and configured to accommodate human fingers and palm of a human hand against the water bottle and a thumb outside of the handle portion; a lower loop, configured to encircle the water bottle; wherein accommodating the thumb outside of the handle portion prevents stress on an abductor pollicis brevis muscle, an abductor pollicis longus muscle, an abductor pollicis muscle and a dorsal interosseous muscle that is proximate the thumb while permitting movement of the water bottle by a human arm.
 2. The conversion system of claim 1, wherein the lower loop and the upper loop are at least ten millimeters thick in order to secure the lower loop to the water bottle while preventing plastic deformation of the lower loop while the water bottle is moving.
 3. The conversion system of claim 1, wherein the handle portion is at least twenty millimeters wide in order to prevent plastic deformation of the handle portion when the handle portion is being moved as part of the ergonomically correct free weight.
 4. A process for converting a water bottle to an ergonomically correct free weight comprises: providing the water bottle having known dimensions; and joining a conversion system to the water bottle; wherein the conversion system further comprises: an upper loop configured to encircle the water bottle; a handle portion, attached to the upper loop; a lower loop attached to the handle portion; wherein the lower loop is configured to encircle the water bottle.
 5. The process of claim 4, further comprising inserting a human hand between the handle portion and the water bottle wherein a thumb on the human hand rests upon the handle portion while fingers on the human hand rest below the handle portion.
 6. The process of claim 5, further comprising: maneuvering the water bottle with a human arm. 